In New Orleans Sports news...

Yesterday was a funny day in a sense sportswise, here in New Orleans. The Hornets traded (again) Tyson Chandler to the Charlotte Bobcats, for Emeka Okafor from the University of Conneticut. WOW! This guy, a year ago Okafor signed a 6 year extension that was worth $72 million, and now the Hornets have to pick up the tab. Not that I'm really concerned cause there is a possibility that the trade wont go through.. Last season, we tried to trade Tyson to Oklahoma City for the expiring contracts of Joe Smith and Chris Wilcox, but Tyson didnt pass the physical. A good thing right? I'm pretty sure that something similar may just happen again.

Either someone on the coaching staff or in the front office really have it out for Chandler. They really have their signals crossed up. TC is a pretty athletic type guy, I admit he's a lil frail and not bulky in the paint, but he does play some serious defense, and is good for at least 2 blocks and 3 dunks a night. I know I've said it

before, but the ones they should be tryin to get rid of is a combination of David West, Antonio Daniels, Peja Stojackavic, Morris Peterson, and / or Rasual Butler. Peja wont go cause his contract is far too big. Daniels and Peterson are both a waste of time if you ask me and West and Butler just rub me the wrong way. D. West doesnt play as big as he could (and he is a 2 time All Star...go figure) and Butler to me has focus issues....HE IS ALWAYS IN THE DAMN CLUB!

On the upside of this issue, I watched a Summer League game and was really impressed with the play of our draftees, Darren Collison (PG from UCLA) and Marcus Thorton (SG from LSU). They are both athletic, hustle and have great court vision. Most importantly they can shoot the ball and defend. Only time will tell if they actually fit into Coach Byron Scott's scheme of things. Not saying that they are or they arent, but you gotta sorta look at his history with young players...i.e. J.R.Smith and Chris "Birdman" Anderson. They have made major contributions to the Nuggets and their playoff run. TC wrote on his blog...I just want to thank the city of New Orleans, the Hornets organization for the opportunity and for the great couple of years that I had there. I also want to thank my Hornets teammates for everything they've done for me. I had great time in New Orleans being able to enjoy the game again, with them. I'm just glad that he aint bitter and was gonna pop off about doin the Bee's dirty when the Bobcats come to town...LOL. I thought Mo Pete was gonna cry cause he knows if Tyson is gone from here, he's so next...

In other sports news...well it aint really sports and it aint really news, but appease me for the moment why dont you. New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush and his TV Reality Show star girlfriend Kim Kardashian have called it quits. The news on the street is that Reg was gettin ready to go to camp and wanted her to come with, but she declined. She is getting ready to shoot yet another season of "Keeping up with the Kardashians" on E!TV and doing whatever it is these celebrity types do. Well maybe thats a good thing, cause now maybe, just maybe Reg can concentrate on football, and I know that wants to play well and make a lil noise. Here's lookin at you kiddo.

Also in NFL news, Commissioner Roger Goodell has conditionally reinstated former Falcon quarterback Michael Vick and he is now able to sign a deal with a team (whomever will have him) and participate in training camp and also possibly play in the last two exhibition games before having to sit out anywhere between 2 to 6 weeks of the regular season. This is good for him, because whoever picks him up (i wish the Saints would pick him up, but you never know) will have a quality backup quarterback (yes, I'm still on that) and he has time to get the playbook down in his head. There is also the option of the wildcat formation situations, where you never really know what he is gonna do, he may throw or ruyn the ball....this makes him more of a threat on the field than just thinkin you gonna have him returning punts or kicks or even playing running back. Oh well, its good to see he is gonna be able to earn a living and not have to keep working that construction job. And Antonio Pierce, Linebacker for the New York Giants is expected to be indicted in conjunction with the Plaxico Burress shooting incident in November...more details to follow....

Believe half of what you hear and none of what you read..on the net

"I need a Winn Dixie bag fulla money to the V.I.P. section...RIIIIIGHT NOW!" - Lil' Wayne "I Get Money"

Many of you may or may not heard the ridiculous rumor of Michael Vick and Allen Iverson hanging out in a Virginia Beach strip club, the day before he has to meet with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell about possible re-reinstatement to the league and possibly resume his career as a quarterback. Lets be serious.... neither one of them cats have a job and both know how important it is for Vick to be seen in a true light of reforment. Not that going to a "Gentlemen's Club is a bad thing, plenty men (and ladies) go to them.

Here is an article posted by the Associated Press that refutes the whole thing.

RICHMOND, Va. — A lawyer for Michael Vick says the quarterback did not spend his first night of freedom at a Virginia Beach strip club. Attorney Larry Woodward says Thursday that Vick was not in Virginia Beach on Monday night and has not been to any strip club. Woodward says reports of such activity are "absolutely, categorically false. "Vick was released from federal custody Monday after a 23-month sentence for a dogfighting conspiracy. The blog thebiglead.com quoted a DJ, who refused to be identified, who said Vick was at the strip club with NBA free agent Allen Iverson. Leon Rose, Iverson's agent, said Iverson hasn't seen Vick since his release. Vick is expected to meet soon with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell in hopes of getting his league suspension lifted.

Copyright © 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

Lets really think about this for a hot second. What kind of idiot would Vick be, if the night before the most important job interview of your life would you go to (of all places) a strip club. Where anything could and has happened. Adam (dont call me Pac Man anymore) Jones, knows all too well what can happen in one of dem joints. Nobody in their right mind walks in a strip club with over 80k in a Louie Vuitton bag anyway. There is no way in the world that you woulda found me in there, if I was beggin for my life back. All the blame for this should fall on the DJ that refused to be identified and the jackass that ran out there and kept the foolishness goin. I know that DJ's like to use comedic banter to get the crowd goin so they can spend money. If you ever saw the movie Player's Club you'd remember the scene when Bernie Mac announced that Uncle Luke was in the club and the dancers went into a frenzy. Dolla Bill wanted his percentage too. Well that was the same situation. Just someone was drunk and went too far.

I wish Mike well as he gets ready to try to get his life together.... and you should too

Sorry to bust ya bubble, if you really thought there was some truth to that...

**UPDATE** sorry for the length, but it is what it is....

The anticipation and speculation can stop. Roger Goodell has reached a decision on Michael Vick, NFL sources told ESPN.

League sources told ESPN's Sal Paolantonio and Chris Mortensen Thursday that sometime next week Goodell is expected to announce a conditional reinstatement of Vick, which would allow Vick to go to training camp if he signed with a team but that could also include a four-game suspension."Can we suspend him in basically double jeopardy?" asked the league source. "That's the question. "Goodell had already given Vick an indefinite suspension that ran concurrent with the 23-month federal prison sentence and home confinement stemming from Vick's role in an illegal dogfighting ring. According to a source close to Vick, the former Falcons quarterback is hoping to receive no additional punishment. A four-game suspension would likely inhibit his ability to catch on with an NFL team. No teams have expressed interest in bringing Vick in for a tryout as of yet. As part of the deal, Goodell is reserving judgement in the event of any further transgressions from Vick. "This is a serious matter. We are engaging in a careful and thoughtful process and no decisions have been made," NFL spokesman Greg Aiello said. Earlier Thursday, SI.com first reported that Vick and Goodell met Wednesday afternoon in Allendale, N.J., at a small security firm for three hours. Vick apologized to Goodell, especially for lying to him in 2007 when Vick denied being involved in any dogfighting ring, according to league sources, who described the meeting to Paolantonio and Mortensen as very cordial but tense. One league source said Thursday that Goodell did not necessarily need to hear that apology. "The commissioner has said many times, 'this is not about me,'" the source said.Vick -- once the NFL's highest-paid player -- was joined at Wednesday's meeting by his legal and personal advisors, including agent Joel Segal. Vick was released from federal custody Monday after finishing the home confinement portion of his sentence at his home in Hampton, Va. SI.com reported Thursday that both Vick and Goodell were spotted leaving the offices of Buckley Petersen Global Inc. separately at 4 p.m. Vick exited in a Cadillac Escalade, while Goodell departed approximately 10 minutes later in a BMW. According to eyewitnesses, both Vick and Goodell were described as looking "somber" after leaving the meeting. NFL training camps are set to open next week and this deal could free Vick to pursue an NFL contract that would allow him to begin to alleviate his massive debts. Vick declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in July 2008, a little over three years after he signed a then-record 10-year, $130 million deal with the Atlanta Falcons. A handful of teams have publicly declared no interest in Vick, citing a multitude of concerns. Giants owner John Mara and Jets owner Woody Johnson were emphatic in saying their teams' quarterback positions were filled. "On a lot of levels, no," Mara said when asked if the Giants had any interest in Vick. Mara added there wasn't even any discussion or debate in the front office about Vick. Despite the competition to replace Brett Favre, Johnson said the Jets also weren't interested. "We've got Kellen Clemens and now we have this young Mark Sanchez, and I think we are good on quarterbacks," Johnson said, adding that the Jets also didn't see Vick as an option. Vick admitted to bankrolling Bad Newz Kennels on his estate in Virginia and assisting in the killing of dogs that performed poorly in practice fights.

Information from ESPN's Chris Mortensen and Sal Paolantonio and The Associated Press was used in this report.

Posted by the Insomniaq...from the V.I.P. section and the Champaign room is poppin

Aiight now here's a trick play if I ever saw one...

Two time Super Bowl champion Ben Rothlisberger has been implicated in a civil suit by a woman at a Lake Tahoe casino / hotel. The "unidentified" woman (aint that familiar) said that the Pittsburgh quarterback raped her after he called her up to his penthouse suite at Harrah's to fix his TELEVISION! Big Ben has hired a lawyer and has made a statement saying his client is 100% innocent and will be cleared of these "absurd" charges. There are also rumblings around the net that ESPN has a "do not report" memo goin around to all of its reporters / anchors / affiliates, stating that this story has NOT been authenticated and doesnt want to tarnish the reputation of its reporting and image.

You want to know what this sounds like to me.... wait for it!!!! SOME BULLSHIT! Where is NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell with his "penalty flag"? Where is his readily accessible suspension stick? Wait I know what it is... its Ben, he's a white guy with a lot of money, there is no way on earth that he would even have to rape a woman...do you know how much action he gets thrown his way every day? Yeah right... Let me see if I can get this straight, he didnt bankroll a dog fighting ring like Vick...check. He didnt get drunk and kill nobody with his Bentley...check. He didnt take a suppliment with a substance banned by the league...check. He didnt take steroids and get caught lying to Katie Couric about it. God forbid he didnt pack heat goin to the club and "accidentally" shoot his dumb ass in the leg...check. So why are Michael Vick, Donte' Stallworth, and Plaxico Burris on indefinite suspension and this dude is untouched like he had the red "Do Not Hit" jersey on? They gonna have to fine me cause Im finna hit his ass, and Ima lead with my head.

This clown is being implicated for the crime of RAPE, of a human being! Albeit, it aint vehicular homicide as in the case of Stallworth, his victim wont be able to sue for "damages". The victim is "supposedly" suing for $400,000 in damages from Ben and $50,000 from the Harrah's Corp. Its clear that she no longer works for the casino anymore. Then to top it off she waited to bring forth the charges cause she feared that she would lose her job. You would think that if she was actually raped by the player, she woulda been said something. I call shenanigans... but dont this shit remind you of Kobe Bryant and the lil chick up in Colorado? I wondered when I first heard this story if this wasnt the same chick and thats why ESPN has the gag order on their people. Why give this chick any more exposure. Anyway Ben doesnt make as much as Kobe so it is what its gonna be. Im still pissed that whether or not this is an actual truth Goodell hasnt whipped out the "Go directly to the suspension room" card yet... This really is disheartening to true fans of the NFL and folks in general that abide by fair play. Lets see how many endorsements he loses or if his jerseys get pulled off the shelf or if the Rooneys disown him the way that Mr Blank did to Vick.... Who says there is no such thing as racism anymore. Its live and well in professional sports

WOW JUST WOW

Posted by the Insomniaq....glad to NOT be a Steeler fan so I aint gotta defend this bull

Let the man play...

"Let them play, Let them play", Bad News Bears

Former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Michael Vick was released from federal custody after serving his time on dogfighting charges. Even though he's a free man, he still isnt a football player (per say). He has yet to be reinstated by the league and Commissioner Goodall said he is gonna wait 2 weeks before making a determination on whether or not he will be for the 09 season.

Out of the 32 teams in the league aint nobody checkin for Mike, which I think is a damn shame. He looks to be in shape and hasnt been hit in a little over 2 years so there hasnt been any wear and tear on his body. What is really pissin me off though is how he is the whipping boy of every sports writer / columnist / reporter / expert on television. They are already stating that he isnt a marquee player and was never a good quarterback, stating his accuracy and defense reading ability werent that of the other elite QB's in the league.

Granted he wasnt the most pure passer in the game, but damn he was electric. The way he used his feet and vision to be an elusive quarterback and dangerous runners. He only really had ONE target and that was Algee Crumpler who is now in Tennessee with the Titans and didnt have enough time with Joe Horn to make an impact. Most of the naysayers are saying that all he is gonna be good for now is the "wildcat" position and some have gone as far to saying a defensive back (how crazy is that?). Some have said he needs to play in the UFL and primarily play quarterback and re-learn the position. Others say he may make an impact in the Canadian Football League, but because of his status within the penal system he may have problems with his Visa / Passport (I didnt think you had to have a passport to go to Canada, but what do I know).

I hope the best for him in whatever he ends up doing, and personally I would like to see him back in the league, causing havok and giving defenses fits. Even as a backup quarterback, because these cats now a days are somewhat fragile and one out of the 32 can / will get hurt and he will be there to pick up the slack. If he does get back in the league if he aint in the Fluer de Lis of the Saints, I just hope he aint in the NFC South, (he gives us the blues). He has lost alot, money, cred, and image, has paid his dues to society and needs to be back in the NFL. As far as I'm concerned Vick not on the field = FAIL

Cinnamon and Snowflake approve of this post...ROO

Posted by the Insomniaq, chillin in the cut waiting for the screen pass